Stewart Richmond

Bordeaux is a favourite for expats and tourists alike and soon there will be a new reason for choosing this ancient city as a retirement destination. In the next couple of years, a new TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse or very fast train) service will be introduced direct to London. This will result in a five-hour journey at speeds of up to 300 kilometres an hour, making it competitive with air travel and without the hassles...

There are many reasons you should consider a move to France: The beaches of Normandy, the stunning Paris cityscape, the resorts of the Atlantic and Mediterranean… but France is more than just a pretty place to live—although it’s most certainly that…

Retiring to France will be one of the most wonderful and, at times, challenging experiences of your life. It is such a big country with a vast variety of climates, cultures and cuisine. Magical names like Bordeaux, Avignon, Dijon conjure up images of narrow streets, medieval buildings, roadside cafes and a truly Gallic lifestyle. While Read more...

Five years ago, I finished a job with an Australian television network and, a few months off 65, stood little or no chance of finding another job. My wife Lorraine and I had been considering an overseas move for some time. We knew that wherever we went we wanted to take our dog, Scooter. Looking to Europe, we checked out Ireland, Spain and Portugal...

My wife Lorraine and I retired to Europe three years ago. Since then we’ve toured the U.K. and France; caravan and beloved dalmatian dog, Scooter, in tow. We’ve bought and sold property in France and now we’re exploring Spain and Portugal rent-free thanks to housesitting. We’ve always been thrifty and over the past few years...

Four hours in 30-degree heat, drinking beer, chatting with the locals, competing for cheap giveaways and all for 30 seconds of lycra-clad cyclists whipping past. And loving every minute of it. This is expat life in France at its absolute best. It’s almost worth retiring to France just for this moment… The day the Tour Read more...

There are so many great things about retiring to Europe and, the great news is, you don’t have to be rich to do it. A modest budget can provide you with a fabulous lifestyle here. Imagine exploring ancient castles and cathedrals and walking in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc and El Cid…You can do it...

When people think of the south of France, amongst the first places that come to mind are destinations like Provence, Carcassonne, Nice and the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera). Indeed, they are all beautiful and you should put them on your bucket list to visit…but would you really want to retire there?

So you’ve finally made the decision. You’ve fallen in love with France’s rich culture and history and have decided to pack up and move to live the European dream. But the burning question is, can you? While there are no restrictions on buying a house in France there are stringent visa requirements and issues for Aussies wanting to put down roots in France.